Memory device

ABSTRACT

A memory device includes a semiconductor substrate, a first dielectric layer, a metal contact, a metal nitride layer, an etch stop layer, a second dielectric layer, a metal via, and a memory stack. The first dielectric layer is over the semiconductor substrate. The metal contact passes through the first dielectric layer. The metal nitride layer spans the first dielectric layer and the metal contact. The etch stop layer extends along a top surface of the metal nitride layer, in which a thickness of the metal nitride layer is less than a thickness of the etch stop layer. The second dielectric layer is over the etch stop layer. The metal via passes through the second dielectric layer, the etch stop layer, and the metal nitride layer and lands on the metal contact. The memory stack is in contact with the metal via.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a Divisional Application of the U.S. application Ser. No. 16/059,777, filed Aug. 9, 2018, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,535,816, issued Jan. 14, 2020, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/590,182, filed Nov. 22, 2017, which is herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

The semiconductor integrated circuit (IC) industry has experienced rapid growth. In the course of the IC evolution, functional density (defined as the number of interconnected devices per chip area) has generally increased while geometry size (i.e., the smallest component (or line) that can be created using a fabrication process) has decreased. A scaling down process generally provides benefits by increasing production efficiency and lowering associated costs. But, such scaling down has increased the complexity of processing and manufacturing ICs. For these advances to be realized, similar developments in IC manufacturing are needed.

However, since feature sizes continue to decrease, fabrication processes continue to become more complex. For example, via structures are frequently used for the decreased feature sizes. Therefore, it is a challenge to form reliable semiconductor devices at smaller and smaller sizes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Aspects of the present disclosure are best understood from the following detailed description when read with the accompanying figures. It is noted that, in accordance with the standard practice in the industry, various features are not drawn to scale. In fact, the dimensions of the various features may be arbitrarily increased or reduced for clarity of discussion.

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional diagram showing via structure in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2A to FIG. 2P are cross-sectional views of intermediate stages showing a method for fabricating a Magnetoresistive Random Access Memory (MRAM) device in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3A to FIG. 3E are cross-sectional views of intermediate stages showing a method for fabricating a metal nitride layer in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4A to FIG. 4B are flow charts showing a method for fabricating a MRAM device in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4C is a flow chart showing a method for forming an etch stop layer in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing equipment for forming the bottom etch stop layer in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following disclosure provides many different embodiments, or examples, for implementing different features of the provided subject matter. Specific examples of components and arrangements are described below to simplify the present disclosure. These are, of course, merely examples and are not intended to be limiting. For example, the formation of a first feature over or on a second feature in the description that follows may include embodiments in which the first and second features are formed in direct contact, and may also include embodiments in which additional features may be formed between the first and second features, such that the first and second features may not be in direct contact.

Terms used herein are only used to describe the specific embodiments, which are not used to limit the claims appended herewith. For example, unless limited otherwise, the term “one” or “the” of the single form may also represent the plural form. The terms such as “first” and “second” are used for describing various devices, areas and layers, etc., though such terms are only used for distinguishing one device, one area or one layer from another device, another area or another layer. Therefore, the first area can also be referred to as the second area without departing from the spirit of the claimed subject matter, and the others are deduced by analogy. In addition, the present disclosure may repeat reference numerals and/or letters in the various examples. This repetition is for the purpose of simplicity and clarity and does not in itself dictate a relationship between the various embodiments and/or configurations discussed. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a via structure, a magnetoresistive random access memory (MRAM) device and a method for fabricating the MRAM device. The MRAM device includes the via structure. In the method for fabricating MRAM device, an etch stop layer is provided to control a first etching operation conducted on a dielectric layer of the via structure. The etch stop layer includes a bottom etch stop layer and a top etch stop layer disposed on the bottom etch stop layer. The bottom etch stop layer is made of a metal-based nitride material, and the top etch stop layer is made of a metal-based oxide material, thereby enabling the etch stop layer to have a smaller thickness. In some embodiments, the thickness of the etch stop layer is smaller than or equal to about 1100 angstrom. Therefore, a time period of an etching operation for removing the etch stop layer is decreased because of the smaller thickness of the etch stop layer, and damages caused on the dielectric layer can be prevented accordingly.

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a magnetoresistive random access memory (MRAM) device 100 in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. The MRAM device 100 includes semiconductor devices 110, memory stacks 170, and via structures VS1 disposed between the semiconductor devices 110 and the memory stacks 170 to provide electrical connections between the semiconductor devices 110 and the memory stacks 170.

The semiconductor devices 110 each includes a transistor 114. The transistors 114 are disposed on a semiconductor substrate 111. In some embodiments, the semiconductor substrate 111 may include a semiconductor material and may include a graded layer or a buried oxide, for example. In some embodiments, the semiconductor substrate 111 includes bulk silicon that may be undoped or doped (e.g., p-type, n-type, or a combination thereof). Other materials that are suitable for semiconductor device formation may be used. Other materials, such as germanium, quartz, sapphire, and glass, could alternatively be used for the semiconductor substrate 111. Alternatively, the semiconductor substrate 111 may include an active layer of a semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) substrate or a multi-layered structure, such as a silicon-germanium layer formed on a bulk silicon layer.

An isolation structure ISO1 is disposed in the semiconductor substrate 111 and between the transistors 114 of the semiconductor device 110. A first dielectric layer 116 is disposed over the transistors 114. In some embodiments, the first dielectric layer 116 functions as a planarization layer to provide a flat surface for an etch stop layer ESL1. Contacts 112 are disposed in the dielectric layer 116 and electrically connect the via structures VS1 to source/drain regions 114 a of the transistors 114. In some embodiments, the contacts 112 include Co, Cu, W, TiN, Ti, TaN, other suitable materials, or combinations thereof.

The etch stop layer ESL1 is disposed over the first dielectric layer 116, and a second dielectric layer 140 is disposed over the etch stop layer ESL1, thereby controlling a first etching operation conducted on the second dielectric layer 140. In some embodiments, the second dielectric layer 140 may include any suitable dielectric material including silicon oxide, silicon nitride, silicon oxynitride, hafnium oxide, zirconium oxide, titanium oxide, aluminum oxide, hafnium dioxide-alumina (H_(f)O₂—Al₂O₃) alloy, phosphosilicate glass (PSG), borophosphosilicate glass (BPSG), other suitable dielectric materials, and/or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the second dielectric layer 140 may be formed using a silicon-containing precursor including tetra-ethyl-ortho-silicate (TEOS). The second dielectric layer 140 may include a low-k dielectric material, such as fluorinated silica glass (FSG), carbon doped silicon oxide, Black Diamond® (Applied Materials of Santa Clara, Calif.), Xerogel, Aerogel, amorphous fluorinated carbon, Parylene, BCB (bis-benzocyclobutenes), SiLK (Dow Chemical, Midland, Mich.), polyimide, other proper porous polymeric materials, or combinations thereof.

The via structures VS1 pass through the second dielectric layer 140 and the etch stop layer ESL1. For example, the via structures VS1 each includes a conductor 160 and a diffusion barrier layer 165 wrapping around the conductor 160. The conductor 160 provides electrical connections between the contacts 112 and the memory stacks 170. In some embodiments, the conductor 160 may include Co, Cu, W, TiN, Ti, TaN, other suitable materials, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the diffusion barrier layer 165 may include TiN, TaN, Ta, Ti, Co, Ni and/or combination thereof.

The memory stacks 170 are disposed over the second dielectric layer 140. Each of the memory stacks 170 includes a first electrode layer 172, a storage material layer 174, and a second electrode layer 176. The first electrode layer 172 is electrically connected to the corresponding via structures VS1, and the storage material layer 174 is disposed between the first electrode layer 172 and the second electrode layer 176. In some embodiments, the first electrode layer 172 and the second electrode layer 176 may include Ti, Ta, TiN, TaN, or other suitable metals or materials. In some embodiments, the storage material layer 174 may include multiple layers. For example, the storage material layer 174 may include a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) cell having a free synthetic antiferromagnetic (SAF) layer, a pinned SAF layer and a tunnel barrier layer interposed between the free SAF layer and the pinned SAF layer. Furthermore, the free SAF layer may include a plurality of ferromagnetic layers and at least one antiferromagnetic coupling spacer layer interposed between two adjacent ones of the ferromagnetic layers. The pinned SAF layer may include a pinned ferromagnetic layer, a fixed ferromagnetic layer and an antiferromagnetic coupling spacer layer interposed between the pinned ferromagnetic layer and the fixed ferromagnetic layer. The materials for the tunnel barrier layer may include electrically insulating materials that form a tunneling junction. Examples of such materials include MgO, AlN, TaN, and/or Ta₂O₅. In some embodiments, the MTJ cell includes Co, Fe, B, Ni, Mg, Mo, or Ru, or a combination thereof.

The etch stop layer ESL1 includes a bottom etch stop layer 120 and a top etch stop layer 130. The bottom etch stop layer 120 is disposed over the first dielectric layer 116, and the top etch stop layer 130 is disposed over the bottom etch stop layer 120. The bottom etch stop layer 120 is a metal-based nitride layer and has a thickness 120 h. The top etch stop layer 130 is a metal-based oxide layer and has a thickness 130 h. In some embodiments, the top etch stop layer 130 and the bottom etch stop layer 120 include the same metal. In some embodiments, the bottom etch stop layer 120 includes aluminum nitride, and the top etch stop layer 130 includes aluminum oxide. In some embodiments, an atom ratio of aluminum to nitride is defined from about 1 to about 3.

In some embodiments, the bottom etch stop layer 120 includes tantalum nitride, and the top etch stop layer 130 includes tantalum oxide. In some embodiments, the bottom etch stop layer 120 includes titanium nitride, and the top etch stop layer 130 includes titanium oxide. However, embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the bottom etch stop layer 120 is capable of preventing oxide diffusion when hydrogen is introduced. For example, hydrogen maybe introduced when forming the top etch stop layer 130, and the bottom etch stop layer 120 is capable of preventing oxide diffusion when forming the top etch stop layer 130. In some embodiments, a thickness of the bottom etch stop layer 120 is equal to or smaller than a thickness of the top etch stop layer 130.

The etch stop layer ESL1 is provided to have a small thickness. In some embodiments, the thickness 120 h is greater than or equal to about 5 angstrom and smaller than or equal to about 100 angstrom, and a ratio of the thickness 130 h to the thickness 120 h is from about 10 to about 1. In other words, a thickness of the etch stop layer ESL1 is greater than or equal to about 10 angstrom and smaller than or equal to about 1100 angstrom. Because the etch stop layer ESL1 having the small thickness is provided, a time period of the etching operation for etching the etch stop layer ESL1 is decreased, and damages caused on the second dielectric layer 140 by the etching operation can be reduced.

When the etch stop layer ESL1 is etched to form through holes for the via structures VS1, a top portion of the second dielectric layer 140 may be damaged by the etching operation for etching the etch stop layer ESL1. If the thickness of the etch stop layer ESL1 is greater than about 1100 angstrom, the time period of the etching operation may be too long, and damages on the top portion of the second dielectric layer 140 may result in wider top portions of the through holes. That will be translated into a smaller distance between top portions of the via structures VS1. The smaller distance between the top portions of the via structures VS1 may cause current leakage between the via structures VS1. If the thickness of the etch stop layer ESL1 is smaller than about 10 angstrom, the etching operation for etching the second dielectric layer 140 may not be stopped at the etch stop layer ESL1.

Mask layers 180 are disposed over the memory stacks 170. In some embodiment, the mask layers 180 are hard masks which may include silicon nitride or silicon oxynitride. Spacers 192 are disposed on sidewalls of the memory stacks. In some embodiments, the spacers 192 may include silicon nitride or silicon carbide. A dielectric liner layer 194 is conformally disposed over the mask layers 180, the spacers 192 and the second dielectric layer 140. A third dielectric layer 196 is disposed over the dielectric liner layer 194. Contacts 198 pass through the dielectric layer 196, the dielectric liner layer 194 and the mask layers 180 to be electrically connected to the second electrode layers 176 of the memory stacks 170. In some embodiments, the contacts 198 may include tungsten, tungsten-based alloy, copper, copper-based alloy, other suitable materials, or combinations thereof.

FIGS. 2A to 2P are cross-sectional views of intermediate stages showing a method for fabricating a magnetoresistive random access memory (MRAM) device in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 2A, an isolation structure ISO2 is formed in a semiconductor substrate 211, and transistors 214 are formed on the semiconductor substrate 211. The transistors 214 are separated by the isolation structure ISO2. In some embodiments, the semiconductor substrate 211 may include a semiconductor material and may include a graded layer or a buried oxide, for example. In some embodiments, the semiconductor substrate 211 includes bulk silicon that may be undoped or doped (e.g., p-type, n-type, or a combination thereof). Other materials that are suitable for semiconductor device formation may be used. Other materials, such as germanium, quartz, sapphire, and glass, could alternatively be used for the semiconductor substrate 211. Alternatively, the semiconductor substrate 211 may include an active layer of a semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) substrate or a multi-layered structure such as a silicon-germanium layer formed on a bulk silicon layer.

A first dielectric layer 216 is formed over the transistors 214. In some embodiments, the first dielectric layer 216 is formed by, for example, chemical vapor deposition (CVD). The first dielectric layer 216 may include any suitable dielectric material including silicon oxide, silicon nitride, silicon oxynitride, hafnium oxide, zirconium oxide, titanium oxide, aluminum oxide, hafnium dioxide-alumina (H_(f)O₂—Al₂O₃) alloy, phosphosilicate glass (PSG), borophosphosilicate glass (BPSG), other suitable dielectric materials, and/or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the first dielectric layer 216 may be formed using a silicon-containing precursor including tetra-ethyl-ortho-silicate (TEOS). The first dielectric layer 216 may include a low-k dielectric material, such as fluorinated silica glass (FSG), carbon doped silicon oxide, Black Diamond® (Applied Materials of Santa Clara, Calif.), Xerogel, Aerogel, amorphous fluorinated carbon, Parylene, BCB (bis-benzocyclobutenes), SiLK (Dow Chemical, Midland, Mich.), polyimide, other proper porous polymeric materials, or combinations thereof.

Contacts 212 are formed in the first dielectric layer 216, thereby providing a semiconductor device 210. In some embodiments, the first dielectric layer 216 is etched to form through holes that respectively realize source/drain regions 214 a of the transistors 214. Then, a diffusion barrier layer is conformally formed on sidewalls and bottoms of the thorough holes and a top surface 216 s of the first dielectric layer 216, and a conductive layer is formed over the diffusion barrier layer. Excess portions of the diffusion barrier layer and the conductive layer over the top surface 216 s of the first dielectric layer 216 are removed to form contacts 212 in the first dielectric layer 216. Removal of the excess portions of the diffusion barrier layer and the conductive layer may be performed using chemical mechanical planarization. After removing the excess portions of the diffusion barrier layer and the conductive layer, the top surface 216 s of the first dielectric layer 216 is substantially flat, and top surfaces of the contacts 212 are substantially coplanar with the top surface 216 s of the first dielectric layer 216. The contacts 212 respectively land on the source/drain regions 214 a of the transistors 214 to provide electrical connections. In some embodiments, the contacts 212 include Co, Cu, W, TiN, Ti, TaN, other suitable materials, or combinations thereof.

As shown in FIG. 2B, a bottom etch stop layer 220 is formed over the contacts 212 and the first dielectric layer 216. In some embodiments, the bottom etch stop layer 220 include a metal nitride. Formation of the bottom etch stop layer 220 is shown in FIG. 3A to FIG. 3E. As shown in FIG. 3A, a pre-treatment operation is conducted on the contacts 212 and the first dielectric layer 216 to clean the top surfaces of the contacts 212 and the first dielectric layer 216. At the pre-treatment operation, the wafer where the contacts 212 and the first dielectric layer 216 are formed is placed into a chamber and a gas including Ar, H₂, O₃, N₂ or NH₃ is induced into the chamber. When the contacts 212 and the first dielectric layer 216 are pretreated by the gas, the contacts 212 and the first dielectric layer 216 are heated to a temperature in a range from about 100° C. to about 500° C., and a time period of heating the contacts 212 and the first dielectric layer 216 is in a range from about 10 seconds to about 30 seconds. Then, a degas operation is conducted in the chamber to exhaust the gas from the chamber. Therefore, particles and/or water adsorbed on a top surface of the wafer, i.e. the top surfaces of the contacts 212 and the first dielectric layer 216, desorb. As shown in FIG. 3B, the wafer is soaked in NH₃, thereby providing amine groups on the top surfaces of the contacts 212 and the first dielectric layer 216. As shown in FIG. 3C, the top surfaces of the contacts 212 and the first dielectric layer 216 is exposed to a precursor of Al, thereby providing functional groups of AlN(CH₃)₂ on the top surfaces of the contacts 212 and the first dielectric layer 216. In some embodiments, the operations shown in FIG. 3B) and FIG. 3C are repeated at a temperature from about 100° C. from about 600° C. and at a pressure from about 0 torr to about 100 torr. In some embodiments, a temperature of the precursor of Al is from about 20° C. to about 100° C. In some embodiments, the precursor of Al is provided by using a gas line, and the gas line pushes the precursor of Al by using a gas of N₂. A temperature of the gas line is greater than about 200° C. After repeating operations shown in FIG. 3B and FIG. 3C, functional groups of which the chemical formula is —(NAl)x-NH₂ are provided on the top surfaces of the contacts 212 and the first dielectric layer 216, as shown in FIG. 3D. Then, a dehydrogenation operation is conducted to form the bottom etch stop layer 220 that includes AlN on the top surfaces of the contacts 212 and the first dielectric layer 216.

In some embodiments, after the bottom etch stop layer 220 is formed, a post-treatment operation is conducted on the bottom etch stop layer 220 to clean a surface of the bottom etch stop layer 220. In some embodiments, the post-treatment operation is a plasma cleaning process by using gas including Ar, H₂, O₃, N₂ or NH₃ at a temperature in a range from about 100° C. from about 700° C.

As shown in FIG. 2C, a top etch stop layer 230 is formed over the bottom etch stop layer 220. In some embodiments, the top etch stop layer 230 include a metal oxide. For example, the top etch stop layer 230 includes an aluminum oxide. The top etch stop layer 230 may be formed using a deposition operation such as chemical vapor deposition (CVD), plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD), atomic layer deposition (ALD), plasma enhanced atomic layer deposition (PEALD), other suitable deposition operations, or combinations thereof. Further, in some embodiments, the bottom etch stop layer 220 can be formed using a deposition operation such as chemical vapor deposition (CVD), plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD), atomic layer deposition (ALD), plasma enhanced atomic layer deposition (PEALD), other suitable deposition operations, or combinations thereof.

In some embodiments, the bottom etch stop layer 220 includes aluminum nitride, and the top etch stop layer 230 includes aluminum oxide. In other embodiments, the bottom etch stop layer 220 includes tantalum nitride, and the top etch stop layer 230 includes tantalum oxide. In yet other embodiments, the bottom etch stop layer 220 includes titanium nitride, and the top etch stop layer 230 includes titanium oxide. However, embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

In some embodiments, a thickness 220 h of the bottom etch stop layer 220 is greater than or equal to about 5 angstrom and smaller than or equal to about 100 angstrom, and a ratio of a thickness 230 h of the top etch stop layer 230 to the thickness 220 h of the bottom etch stop layer 220 is about 10 to 1. In other words, a thickness of a etch stop layer ESL2 including the bottom etch stop layer 220 and the top etch stop layer 230 is greater than or equal to about 10 angstrom and smaller than or equal to about 1100 angstrom.

In some embodiments, the bottom etch stop layer 220 is capable of preventing oxide diffusion when hydrogen is introduced. For example, hydrogen maybe introduced when forming the top etch stop layer 230, and the bottom etch stop layer 220 is capable of preventing oxide diffusion when forming the top etch stop layer 230.

In some embodiments, the bottom etch stop layer 220 and/or the top etch stop layer 230 can be doped with C, O or Si to improve the performance for stopping etching.

As shown in FIG. 2D, a second dielectric layer 240 is formed over the etch stop layer ESL2. In some embodiments, the second dielectric layer 240 may include any suitable dielectric material including silicon oxide, silicon nitride, silicon oxynitride, hafnium oxide, zirconium oxide, titanium oxide, aluminum oxide, hafnium dioxide-alumina (H_(f)O₂—Al₂O₃) alloy, phosphosilicate glass (PSG), borophosphosilicate glass (BPSG), other suitable dielectric materials, and/or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the second dielectric layer 240 may be formed using a silicon-containing precursor including tetra-ethyl-ortho-silicate (TEOS). The second dielectric layer 240 may include a low-k dielectric material, such as fluorinated silica glass (FSG), carbon doped silicon oxide, Black Diamond® (Applied Materials of Santa Clara, Calif.), Xerogel, Aerogel, amorphous fluorinated carbon, Parylene, BCB (bis-benzocyclobutenes), SiLK (Dow Chemical, Midland, Mich.), polyimide, other proper porous polymeric materials, or combinations thereof. However, embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. The second dielectric layer 240 may be formed using a deposition operation such as chemical vapor deposition (CVD), plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD), atomic layer deposition (ALD), plasma enhanced atomic layer deposition (PEALD), other suitable deposition operations, or combinations thereof.

As shown in FIG. 2E, an anti-reflection layer 250 is formed on the second dielectric layer 240. The anti-reflection layer 250 is used to reduce the reflection during subsequent lithography patterning. In some embodiments, when a nitride material is used as the anti-reflection layer 250 in the operation of the lithography patterning, the nitride material may interact with a photoresist during the operation of the lithography patterning and lead to residual polymeric contaminants that are referred to as photoresist poisoning. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the anti-reflection layer 250 includes a nitrogen-free anti-reflective coating (NFARC) material.

In some embodiments, the anti-reflection layer 250 is formed using a deposition operation such as chemical vapor deposition (CVD), plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD), atomic layer deposition (ALD), plasma enhanced atomic layer deposition (PEALD), other suitable deposition operations, or combinations thereof. In other embodiments, the anti-reflection layer 250 is formed using a spin-on operation. However, embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

As shown in FIG. 2F, the second dielectric layer 240 and the anti-reflection layer 250 are etched using a first etching operation to form through holes V21 passing through the second dielectric layer 240 and the anti-reflection layer 250. In some embodiments, the first etching operation is a partial etching operation conducted using a photoresist. However, embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. Because the etch stop layer ESL2 is under the second dielectric layer 240, the first etching operation stops at the etch stop layer ESL2, and portions of the etch stop layer ESL2 are exposed by the through holes V21.

As shown in FIG. 2G, the exposed portions of the etch stop layer ESL2 are etched using a second etching operation to form through holes V22 passing through the second dielectric layer 240, the anti-reflection layer 250, and the etch stop layer ESL2. In some embodiments, the second etching operation is a wet etching operation. The second dielectric layer 240 and the anti-reflection layer 250 are influenced by the second etching operation when the second etching operation is conducted. In some embodiments, the second etching operation is conducted at a temperature from about 25° C. to about 100° C. In some embodiments, an etching rate of the etch stop layer ESL2 is from about 10 {acute over (Å)}/s to about 100 {acute over (Å)}/s in the second etching operation.

When the etch stop layer ESL2 is etched to form the through holes V22, a top portion of the second dielectric layer 240 may be damaged by the second etching operation. If the thickness of the etch stop layer ESL2 is greater than about 1100 angstrom, the time period of the second etching operation may be too long, and damages on the top portion of the second dielectric layer 240 may result in wider top portions of the through holes V22. That will be translated into a smaller distance between the top portions of the through holes V22. The smaller distance between the top portions of the through holes V22 may cause current leakage between the via structures received in the through holes V22. If the thickness of the etch stop layer ESL2 is smaller than about 10 angstrom, the first etching operation may not stop at the etch stop layer ESL2.

As shown in FIG. 2H, a diffusion barrier layer 265 is conformally formed on sidewalls and bottoms of the through holes V22 and a top surface of the anti-reflection layer 250. In some embodiments, the diffusion barrier 265 is formed using a deposition operation such as chemical vapor deposition (CVD), plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD), atomic layer deposition (ALD), plasma enhanced atomic layer deposition (PEALD), other suitable deposition operations, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the diffusion barrier 265 includes TiN, TaN, Ta, Ti, Co, Ni, or combinations thereof.

As shown in FIG. 2I, a conductive layer 260 is formed over the diffusion barrier 265. In some embodiments, the conductive layer 260 is formed using a deposition operation such as chemical vapor deposition (CVD), plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD), atomic layer deposition (ALD), plasma enhanced atomic layer deposition (PEALD), other suitable deposition operations, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the conductive layer 260 may include Co, Cu, W, TiN, Ti, TaN, other suitable materials, or combinations thereof.

As shown in FIG. 2J, excess portions of the conductive layer 260 and the diffusion barrier layer 265 over a top surface of the second dielectric layer 240 and the anti-reflection layer 250 are removed to form via structures VS2 in the through holes V22. In some embodiments, removal of the excess portions of the conductive layer 260 and the diffusion barrier layer 265 and the anti-reflection layer 250 may be performed using chemical mechanical planarization. After removing the excess portions of the conductive layer 260 and the diffusion barrier layer 265 and the anti-reflection layer 250, the top surface of the second dielectric layer 240 is substantially flat, and top surfaces of the via structures VS2 are substantially coplanar with the top surface of the second dielectric layer 240. However, embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

As shown in FIG. 2K, a first electrode layer 272, a storage material layer 274, and a second electrode layer 276 are sequentially formed over the second dielectric layer 240. In some embodiments, the first electrode layer 272 and the second electrode layer 276 are formed using a deposition operation such as chemical vapor deposition (CVD), plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD), atomic layer deposition (ALD) or plasma enhanced atomic layer deposition (PEALD), and the first electrode layer 272 and the second electrode layer 276 may include Ti, Ta, TiN, TaN, or other suitable metals or materials.

In some embodiments, the storage material layer 274 may include multiple layers. For example, the storage material layer 274 may include a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) cell having a free synthetic antiferromagnetic (SAF) layer, a pinned SAF layer, and a tunnel barrier layer interposed between the free SAF layer and the pinned SAF layer. Further, the free SAF layer may include a plurality of ferromagnetic layers and at least one antiferromagnetic coupling spacer layers interposed between two adjacent ones of the ferromagnetic layers. The pinned SAF layer may include a pinned ferromagnetic layer, a fixed ferromagnetic layer, and an antiferromagnetic coupling spacer layer interposed between the pinned ferromagnetic layer and the fixed ferromagnetic layer. The material for the tunnel barrier layer may include an electrically insulating material that forms a tunneling junction. Examples of such material include MgO, AlN, TaN, and/or Ta₂O₅. In some embodiments, the MTJ cell includes Co, Fe, B, Ni, Mg, Mo, or Ru, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the MTJ cell can be manufactured by thin film technologies, such as magnetron sputter deposition, molecular beam epitaxy, pulsed laser deposition, electron beam physical vapor deposition, or any other suitable methods.

As shown in FIG. 2L, mask layers 280 are formed over the second electrode layer 276. In some embodiments, the mask layers 280 are aligned to the via structures VS. In some embodiments, the mask layers 280 are formed using lithography and etching operations and may include silicon nitride or silicon oxynitride.

As shown in FIG. 2M, a patterning operation is conducted on the first electrode layer 272, the storage material layer 274 and the second electrode layer 276 using the mask layers 280 to form memory stacks 270. Each of the memory stacks 270 includes a patterned first electrode layer 272 a, a patterned storage material layer 274 a and a patterned second electrode layer 276 a. In some embodiments, the memory stacks 270 may be formed by any suitable etching techniques such as for example dry plasma etching process and reactive ion etching (RIE) techniques.

As shown in FIG. 2N, spacers 292 are formed on sidewalls of the mask layers 280 and the memory stacks 270. In some embodiments, the spacers 292 are formed by chemical vapor deposition (CVD), plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD), atomic layer deposition (ALD) or plasma enhanced atomic layer deposition (PEALD) and then being etched to define the spacers 292. The spacers 292 may include silicon nitride or silicon carbide.

As shown in FIG. 2O, a dielectric liner layer 294 and a third dielectric layer 296 are sequentially formed over the spacers 292 and the mask layers 280. In some embodiments, the third dielectric layer 296 functions as a planarization layer for subsequent operations.

As shown in FIG. 2P, contacts 298 are formed in the third dielectric layer 296 and pass through the third dielectric layer 296, the dielectric liner layer 294 and the mask layers 280 to provide electrical connections for the patterned second electrode layers 276 a of the memory stacks 270. For example, an etching operation is conducted on the third dielectric layer 296, the dielectric liner layer 294 and the mask layers 280 to form through holes passing through the third dielectric layer 296, the dielectric liner layer 294 and the mask layers 280. Then, a diffusion barrier layer is conformally formed on sidewalls and bottoms of the thorough holes and a top surface of the third dielectric layer 296, and a conductive layer is formed over the diffusion barrier layer. Excess portions of the diffusion barrier layer and the conductive layer over the top surface of the third dielectric layer 296 are removed to form contacts 298 in the third dielectric layer 296. Removal of the excess portions of the diffusion barrier layer and the conductive layer may be performed using chemical mechanical planarization. After removing the excess portions of the diffusion barrier layer and the conductive layer, the top surface of the third dielectric layer 296 is substantially flat, and top surfaces of the contacts 212 are substantially coplanar with the top surface of the third dielectric layer 296. The contacts 298 respectively land on the patterned second electrode layers 276 a of the memory stacks 270 to provide electrical connections. In some embodiments, the contacts 298 include tungsten, tungsten-based alloy, copper, copper-based alloy, other suitable materials, or combinations thereof.

Referring to FIG. 4A to FIG. 4B, FIG. 4A to FIG. 4B are flow charts of a method 400 for fabricating a MRAM device in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. At operation 410, the semiconductor device 210 having the contacts 212 and the transistors 214 is provided, as shown in FIG. 2A. In the operation 210, the transistors 214 are formed in the substrate 211. Then, the first dielectric layer 216 is deposited over the transistors 214, and the contacts 212 are formed in the dielectric layer 216 and electrically connected to the transistors 214. After operation 410, operation 411 is conducted. At operation 411, the etch stop layer ESL2 is formed on the semiconductor device 210, as shown in FIG. 2C. A flow chart of the operation 411 for forming the etch stop layer ESL2 is shown in FIG. 4C. The operation 411 includes operations 411 a-411 d for forming the bottom etch stop layer 220 on the semiconductor device 210 as shown in FIG. 2B and operation 411 e for forming the top etch stop layer 230 on the bottom etch stop layer 220 as shown in FIG. 2C.

In some embodiments, at operation 411 a, the surfaces of the contacts 212 and the first dielectric layer 216 are cleaned, as shown in FIG. 3A. Then, at operation 411 b, the wafer where the contacts 212 and the first dielectric layer 216 are formed is soaked in NH₃, as shown in FIG. 3B. Thereafter, at operation 411 c, the top surfaces of the contacts 212 and the first dielectric layer 216 are exposed to a precursor of Al, as shown in FIG. 3C. In some embodiments, a temperature of the precursor of Al is ranged from 20° C. to 100° C. Then, at operation 411 d, the dehydrogenation operation is conducted to form the bottom etch stop layer 220, as shown in FIG. 3E. In some embodiments, before operation 411 d, the operation 411 b and the operation 411 c are repeated to form functional groups of which the chemical formula is —(NAl)x-NH₂, as shown in FIG. 3D.

Returning to FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B, after operation 411 for forming the bottom etch stop layer 220, operation 412 is performed. At operation 412, the second dielectric layer 240 is formed on the etch stop layer ESL2, as shown in FIG. 2D. Then, at operation 413, the anti-reflection layer 250 is formed on the second dielectric layer 240, as shown in FIG. 2E. Thereafter, at operation 414, the second dielectric layer 240 and the anti-reflection layer 250 are etched by using the first etching operation to expose portions of the etch stop layer ESL2, as shown in FIG. 2F. Then, at operation 415, the exposed portions of the etch stop layer ESL2 are etched by using the second etching operation to form through holes V22 passing through the etch stop layer ESL2, the second dielectric layer 240 and the anti-reflection layer 250, as shown in FIG. 2G. Thereafter, at operation 416, the diffusion barrier layer 265 and the conductive layer 260 are sequentially formed on the anti-reflection layer 250, as shown in FIG. 2H and FIG. 2I. Then, at operation 417, the excess portions of the conductive layer 260 and the diffusion barrier layer 265 over a top surface of the second dielectric layer 240 and the anti-reflection layer 250 are removed to form the via structures VS2, as shown in FIG. 2J. Thereafter, at operation 418, the first electrode layer 272, the storage material layer 274 and the second electrode layer 276 are sequentially formed on the second dielectric layer 240, as shown in FIG. 2K. Then, at operation 419, the mask layers 280 are formed over the second electrode layer 276, as shown in FIG. 2L. Thereafter, at operation 420, the first electrode layer 272, the storage material layer 274 and the second electrode layer 276 are patterned by using the mask layers 280 to form the memory stacks 270, as shown in FIG. 2M. Then, at operation 421, the spacers 292 are formed on the sidewalls of the mask layers 280 and the memory stacks 270, as shown in FIG. 2N. Thereafter, at operation 422, the dielectric liner layer 294 and the third dielectric layer 296 are sequentially formed on the spacers 292 and the mask layers 280, as shown in FIG. 2O. Then, at operation 423, the contacts 298 are formed in the third dielectric layer 296 and pass through the third dielectric layer 296, the dielectric liner layer 294 and the mask layers 280 to provide electrical connection for the patterned second electrode layers 276 a of the memory stacks 270, as shown in FIG. 2P.

Referring to FIG. 5, FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an equipment 500 for forming the bottom etch stop layer 220. The equipment 500 includes a robot arm 510, a receiving device 520, a transferring device 530, a pre-treatment device 540, a processing device 550 and a post-treatment device 560. At first, the robot arm 510 picks up a wafer 501 from a region 570 (arrow A51), in which the wafer 501 may be the semiconductor device 210 shown in FIG. 2A. Then, the robot arm 510 places the wafer 501 on the receiving device 520 (arrow A52). Thereafter, the wafer 501 is transmitted to the transferring device 530 from the receiving device 520 (arrow A53). Then, the wafer 501 is transmitted to the pre-treatment device 540 by the transferring device 530 (arrow A54). The pre-treatment device 540 has a chamber for conducting the aforementioned pre-treatment operation as shown in FIG. 3A. After pre-treating the wafer 501, the wafer 501 is transmitted to the transferring device 530 (arrow A55). Then, the wafer 501 is transmitted to the processing device 550 by the transferring device 530 (arrow A56). The processing device 550 has plural chambers for conducting operations for forming the bottom etch stop layer 220, as shown in FIG. 3B to FIG. 3D. Thereafter, the wafer 501 is transmitted to the transferring device 530 from the processing device 550 (arrow A57). Then, the wafer 501 is transmitted to the post-treatment device 560 by the transferring device 530 (arrow A58). The post-treatment device 560 has plural chambers for conducting the aforementioned post-treatment operation. Thereafter, the wafer 501 is transmitted to the transferring device 530 from the post-treatment device 560 (arrow A59). Then, the wafer 501 is transmitted to the receiving device 520 by the transferring device 530 (arrow A60). Thereafter, the robot arm 510 picks up the wafer 501 from the receiving device 520 (arrow A61). Then, the wafer 501 is placed on the region 570 (arrow A62) for being carried to another equipment for subsequent operations.

In the above embodiments, the MRAM device is fabricated by using an etch stop layer. The etch stop layer includes a bottom etch stop layer and a top etch stop layer disposed on the bottom etch stop layer. The bottom etch stop layer is made of a metal-based nitride material, and the top etch stop layer is made of a metal-based oxide material, thereby enabling the etch stop layer to have a smaller thickness. In some embodiments, the thickness of the etch stop layer is smaller than or equal to about 1100 angstrom. Therefore, a time period of an etching operation for removing the etch stop layer is decreased because of the smaller thickness of the etch stop layer, and damages caused on a dielectric layer located on the etch stop layer can be prevented accordingly.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, the present disclosure discloses a device including a transistor, a first dielectric layer, a contact, a bottom etch stop layer, a top etch stop layer, a second dielectric layer, a memory stack and a via structure. The first dielectric layer is disposed over the transistor. The contact is disposed in the first dielectric layer and electrically connected to the transistor. The bottom etch stop layer is disposed over the first dielectric layer, in which the bottom etch stop layer comprises a metal nitride. The top etch stop layer is disposed over the bottom etch stop layer. The second dielectric layer is disposed over the top etch stop layer. The memory stack is disposed over the second dielectric layer. The via structure is disposed in the second dielectric layer, the top etch stop layer, and the bottom etch stop layer and electrically connecting the memory stack and the contact.

In some embodiments, the top etch stop layer includes a metal oxide.

In some embodiments, a thickness of the bottom etch stop layer is smaller than or equal to a thickness of the top etch stop layer.

In some embodiments, the top etch stop layer and the bottom etch stop layer includes the same metal.

In some embodiments, the via structure includes a conductor and a barrier layer. The conductor is disposed in the second dielectric layer, and the barrier layer wraps around the conductor.

In some embodiments, the barrier layer is in contact with the top etch stop layer.

In some embodiments, the barrier layer is in contact with the bottom etch stop layer.

In some embodiments, a thickness of a combination of the top etch stop layer and the bottom etch stop layer is greater than or equal to about 10 angstrom and smaller than or equal to about 1100 angstrom.

In some embodiments, the memory stack includes a first electrode layer, a second electrode layer and a storage material layer between the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, the present disclosure discloses a device including a transistor, a first dielectric layer, a contact, a bottom etch stop layer, a top etch stop layer, a second dielectric layer, a memory stack and a via structure. The first dielectric layer is disposed over the transistor. The contact is disposed in the first dielectric layer and electrically connected to the transistor. The bottom etch stop layer is disposed over the first dielectric layer. The top etch stop layer is disposed over the bottom etch stop layer, in which a thickness of the bottom etch stop layer is equal to or smaller than a thickness of the top etch stop layer. The second dielectric layer is disposed over the top etch stop layer. The memory stack is disposed over the second dielectric layer. The via structure is disposed in the second dielectric layer, the top etch stop layer, and the bottom etch stop layer and electrically connecting the memory stack and the contact.

In some embodiments, a thickness of a combination of the top etch stop layer and the bottom etch stop layer is greater than or equal to about 10 angstrom and smaller than or equal to about 1100 angstrom.

In some embodiments, the memory stack is aligned with the via structure.

In some embodiments, the contact lands on a source/drain region of the transistor.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure, the present disclosure provides a method for fabricating a semiconductor device. In the method, at first, a first dielectric layer is deposited over a transistor. Then, a contact is formed in the first dielectric layer and electrically connected to the transistor. Thereafter, a metal nitride layer is deposited over the first dielectric layer and the contact. Then, an etch stop layer is deposited over the metal nitride layer. Thereafter, a second dielectric layer is deposited over the etch stop layer. Then, a via structure is formed in the second dielectric layer, the etch stop layer, and the metal nitride layer and landing on the contact. Thereafter, a memory stack is formed over the via structure.

In some embodiments, in the operation for forming the via structure, the second dielectric layer is etched to form a first through hole, in which etching the second dielectric layer stops at the etch stop layer. Then, the etch stop layer and the metal nitride layer are etched to form a second through hole to expose the contact. Thereafter, a conductor is formed in the second through hole.

In some embodiments, etching the etch stop layer and the metal nitride layer includes a wet etching operation.

In some embodiments, depositing the metal nitride layer and depositing the etch stop layer are performed such that a thickness of the metal nitride layer is smaller than or equal to a thickness of the etch stop layer.

In some embodiments, in the operation for depositing the metal nitride layer, top surfaces of the first dielectric layer and the contact are soaked in NH₃. Then, top surfaces of the first dielectric layer and the contact are treated with a precursor including Al. Thereafter, a dehydrogenation operation is conducted to form the metal nitride layer over the top surfaces of the first dielectric layer and the contact.

In some embodiments, the metal nitride layer and the etch stop layer are deposited such that a thickness of a combination of the metal nitride layer and the etch stop layer is greater than or equal to about 10 angstrom and smaller than or equal to about 1100 angstrom.

In some embodiments, the method further includes depositing an anti-reflection layer over the second dielectric layer prior to forming the via structure.

In some embodiments, a memory device includes a semiconductor substrate, a first dielectric layer, a metal contact, a metal nitride layer, an etch stop layer, a second dielectric layer, a metal via, and a memory stack. The first dielectric layer is over the semiconductor substrate. The metal contact passes through the first dielectric layer. The metal nitride layer spans the first dielectric layer and the metal contact. The etch stop layer extends along a top surface of the metal nitride layer, in which a thickness of the metal nitride layer is less than a thickness of the etch stop layer. The second dielectric layer is over the etch stop layer. The metal via passes through the second dielectric layer, the etch stop layer, and the metal nitride layer and lands on the metal contact. The memory stack is in contact with the metal via.

In some embodiments, a memory device includes a semiconductor substrate, a contact, a first interlayer dielectric (ILD) layer, a metal nitride layer, an etch stop layer, a via, a second ILD layer, and a memory stack. The contact lands on a source/drain region in the semiconductor substrate. The first interlayer dielectric (ILD) layer laterally surrounds the contact. The metal nitride layer is over the first ILD layer, in which an atomic percentage content of the metal in metal nitride layer is greater an atomic percentage content of nitrogen in the metal nitride layer. The etch stop layer is over the metal nitride layer. The via passes through the etch stop layer and the metal nitride layer. The second ILD layer laterally surrounds the via. The memory stack is in contact with the via.

In some embodiments, a memory device includes a transistor, a metal contact, an etch stop layer, a dielectric layer, a metal via, a memory stack, and a spacer. The metal contact lands on a source/drain structure of the transistor. The etch stop layer is over the metal contact. The dielectric layer is over the etch stop layer. The metal via passes through the dielectric layer and the etch stop layer and lands on the metal contact. The memory stack is over the metal via. The spacer is on a sidewall of the memory stack and has a bottommost end lower than a topmost end of the metal via.

The foregoing outlines features of several embodiments so that those skilled in the art may better understand the aspects of the present disclosure. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that they may readily use the present disclosure as a basis for designing or modifying other processes and structures for carrying out the same purposes and/or achieving the same advantages of the embodiments introduced herein. Those skilled in the art should also realize that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, and that they may make various changes, substitutions, and alterations herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A memory device, comprising: a semiconductor substrate; a first dielectric layer over the semiconductor substrate; a metal contact passing through the first dielectric layer; a metal nitride layer spanning the first dielectric layer and the metal contact; an etch stop layer extending along a top surface of the metal nitride layer, wherein a thickness of the metal nitride layer is less than a thickness of the etch stop layer; a second dielectric layer over the etch stop layer; a metal via passing through the second dielectric layer, the etch stop layer, and the metal nitride layer and landing on the metal contact; and a memory stack in contact with the metal via.
 2. The memory device of claim 1, wherein the metal nitride layer comprises aluminum nitride, tantalum nitride, titanium nitride, or combinations thereof.
 3. The memory device of claim 1, wherein the etch stop layer comprises a material different than the metal nitride layer.
 4. The memory device of claim 1, wherein the etch stop layer comprises metal oxide.
 5. The memory device of claim 1, wherein the etch stop layer comprises AlO_(x).
 6. The memory device of claim 1, wherein a thickness of a combination of the metal nitride layer and the etch stop layer is greater than about 10 Å.
 7. The memory device of claim 1, wherein a thickness of a combination of the metal nitride layer and the etch stop layer is less than about 1100 Å.
 8. The memory device of claim 1, wherein the second dielectric layer comprises tetra-ethyl-ortho-silicate.
 9. The memory device of claim 1, wherein the memory stack comprises: a bottom electrode layer; a storage layer over the bottom electrode layer, wherein a sidewall of the storage layer is coterminous with a sidewall of the bottom electrode layer; and a top electrode layer over the storage layer.
 10. The memory device of claim 1, further comprising a transistor on the semiconductor substrate, wherein the metal contact is in contact with a source/drain structure of the transistor.
 11. A memory device, comprising: a semiconductor substrate; a contact landing on a source/drain region in the semiconductor substrate; a first interlayer dielectric (ILD) layer laterally surrounding the contact; a metal nitride layer over the first ILD layer, wherein an atomic percentage content of the metal in metal nitride layer is greater an atomic percentage content of nitrogen in the metal nitride layer; an etch stop layer over the metal nitride layer; a via passing through the etch stop layer and the metal nitride layer; a second ILD layer laterally surrounding the via; and a memory stack in contact with the via.
 12. The memory device of claim 11, wherein the metal nitride layer comprises aluminum nitride.
 13. The memory device of claim 11, wherein a thickness of the metal nitride layer is in a range from about 5 Å to about 100 Å.
 14. The memory device of claim 11, wherein a ratio of a thickness of the etch stop layer to a thickness of the metal nitride layer is in a range from about 1 to about
 10. 15. The memory device of claim 11, wherein a top surface of the via is higher than a portion of the second ILD layer that non-overlaps by the memory stack.
 16. The memory device of claim 11, further comprising a spacer laterally surrounding the memory stack, wherein a bottommost end of the spacer is lower than a bottommost end of the memory stack.
 17. A memory device, comprising: a transistor; a metal contact landing on a source/drain structure of the transistor; an etch stop layer over the metal contact; a dielectric layer over the etch stop layer; a metal via passing through the dielectric layer and the etch stop layer and landing on the metal contact; a memory stack over the metal via; and a spacer on a sidewall of the memory stack and having a bottommost end lower than a topmost end of the metal via.
 18. The memory device of claim 17, wherein a top surface of the metal via is higher than a portion of the dielectric layer that non-overlaps by the memory stack.
 19. The memory device of claim 17, wherein a first portion of the dielectric layer overlapping by the memory stack has a thickness thicker than a second portion of the dielectric layer non-overlapping by the memory stack.
 20. The memory device of claim 17, further comprising a metal oxide layer sandwiched between the etch stop layer and the dielectric layer, wherein the etch stop layer comprises metal nitride, and a thickness of the etch stop layer is thinner than a thickness of the metal oxide layer. 